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July 8, 2008

HRMC Auxiliary and Foundation purchase microscope

Haywood Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and Foundation boards agreed recently to jointly purchase a surgical microscope for use in the repair of nerves, arteries and veins.

The Auxiliary board voted to allocate $43,605 from funds originally earmarked for a proposed surgery center, which will be combined with $22,297 from the Foundation, to purchase the $65,902 microscope.

Virginia Milligan, med/surg director; Royanne Schumacher, clinical coordinator for nursing administration; and Diane Lyda, director of surgical services, say they are delighted with the funds for continuing education and advanced certification for nurses.

While the microscope can be used for several purposes, the equipment is needed for Haywood Regional’s newest orthopedic physician, Dr. Paul Cutting. Cutting will begin work Aug. 4 at Western Carolina Orthopaedic Specialists.

As the newest member of the HRMC orthopedic team, Cutting will diagnose and treat fractures, dislocations, nerve and tendon repairs, reconstructions and grafts, sports- and work-related injuries and other hand and upper extremities problems.

“Our board wanted to make sure that Dr. Cutting has all the equipment he needs. We also feel it is an important time to show our support for the hospital and to make sure the hospital continues to be successful,” said Auxiliary President Ed Brown.

Over the last couple of years the Auxiliary has purchased a van for the hospital’s fitness center, an American flag for the flag pole at the entrance of the hospital, paid for operating room doors required to meet requirements of the N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation survey, and has donated funds to hospice.

Haywood Regional Medical Center Auxiliary members Gwilli Gerichek and Coleen Jakes join with Phyllis Prevost, center, chairman of the HRMC Foundation, to represent the two boards which are purchasing a new microscope.

The Auxiliary raises funds through the hospital gift shop and other fundraisers, such as jewelry and book sales, uniforms and linens, and the annual Christmas bake sale.

The Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation’s board of directors has approved $5,000 from its general endowment account to create a fund for continuing education for nurses.

“The HRMC Foundation voted unanimously without hesitation to create this fund,” said Phyllis Prevost, Foundation Chair. “This seed money is a step forward in the Foundation’s efforts to help the hospital in meeting very real medical needs in our community.”